The Role of Women in Indigenous Conflict Management in the Mokgalwaneng Village in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality, South Africa

Abstract

Abstract Women have been occupied with managing conflicts in African indigenous communities. However, their contribution in conflict resolution has not been documented in South Africa. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the role of women in managing indigenous conflicts in the Mokgalwaneng community. The data were collected from 14 participants from the Mokgalwaneng community by means of semi-structured and unstructured interview guides and thematically analysed. Three main themes were identified: the types of indigenous conflict, causes of indigenous conflict and the role of women in indigenous conflict management in the Mokgalwaneng community. Findings revealed that there are several types of indigenous conflict in the area. Land, domestic, theft and adultery, fornication and rape were raised as the causes of conflict. Women used indigenous conflict management techniques such as accommodating, collaborating and compromising to manage indigenous conflicts in the area. Also, women in the Mokgalwaneng village assisted indigenous institutions of elders and traditional leaders in resolving conflicts. Although women played a role in the indigenous conflict management, they were being marginalised in relation to indigenous conflict management. This study recommended that gender inclusive conflict management policy should be introduced as this might help promote gender equality and alleviate gender bias.